Evaluating how cool roofs affect health using smartwatches
A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Evaluating the Effects of Cool Roofs on Health Outcomes Using Smartwatches: a Global Multi-center Study
This study is testing if cool roofs that reflect sunlight can help people in hot areas feel better and improve their health by using smartwatches to track their heart rate, sleep, and activity levels.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 800 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Auckland, New Zealand Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Ouagadougou and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06579963 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings on health outcomes in low-resource settings affected by extreme heat. By applying these cool roofs, the study aims to reduce indoor temperatures and improve health metrics such as heart rate, sleep quality, and physical activity levels among residents. Participants will wear smartwatches to continuously monitor these health parameters in urban climate hotspots across four countries: Burkina Faso, India, Niue, and Mexico. The goal is to provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of cool roofs as a passive adaptation strategy to combat heat-related health issues.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are permanent residents of households in urban areas experiencing high temperatures and poor housing conditions.
Not a fit: Patients with unstable or damaged roofs that prevent the application of cool roof coatings will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve health and well-being for individuals living in extreme heat conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using cool roofs is established, this specific application in low-resource settings with continuous health monitoring via smartwatches is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Permanent household resident Exclusion Criteria: * Roof damage, inaccessible or instability of roof adversely affecting cool roof coating application. * Participant unable to provide written/verbal informed consent. Participants will be excluded if they are not willing or able to wear a smartwatch. * In Mexico and Niue, participants will be excluded if they do not have a smartphone with an internet connection that can connect to the smartwatch. * Only one participant per household.
Where this trial is running
Ouagadougou and 3 other locations
- University Joseph Ki-Zerbo — Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar — Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, India (Recruiting)
- Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo — Hermosillo, Sanora, Mexico (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Niue — Alofi, Niue (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Aditi Bunker, Dr
- Email: aditi.bunker@uni-heidelberg.de
- Phone: +49 6221 565344
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.